A ‘wheely’ great challenge for doctor

Laura Sturrock

A Bearsden doctor plans to complete a gruelling cycle challenge to raise money to train surgeons from Malawi as part of a new initiative.

Dr Adrian Stanley, a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow Council, will be doing the 51 mile ‘5 Ferry Challenge’ across North Kintyre and Firth of Clyde to hopefully reach a £50,000 fundraising target.

Along with sixteen senior clinicians from the College, Adrian sets off on the punishing route, which consists of four cycle legs and five ferry trips, on Saturday, September 3.

He hopes his and his colleague’s efforts will encourage people to donate to the fund which will be used to deliver one-year medical training placements in Scotland to trainee surgeons from Malawi.

Adrian said: “It’s vital that people in the developing world have safe and effective access to healthcare.

“More than five billion people in low and middle income countries do not have access to safe and affordable care.

“We hope that by delivering surgical skills and opportunities for Malawi-based trainees to gain experience in the UK, we can make a positive impact.”

Two female Malawian trainee surgeons, Takondwa Itaye-kamangira and Wone Banda, are currently spending time in Scotland thanks to funding from the college, and have spoken about the benefits of the training they’ve received.

Wone, who specialises in reconstructive plastic surgery, said: “I’ve been able to gain vital experience working in Glasgow.

“In Malawi there is a shortage of beds and a shortage of surgeons.

“My dream is to go home and set up a dedicated plastic surgery unit.

“My time in Scotland is nearly at an end but it’s good to know that other students from my country will have the opportunity to train here in the future.”

To find out more and if you’d like to donate to the fund, go to www.justgiving.com/rcps-glasgow/donate.

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